Acute
/əˈkjuːt/
adjectiveIntermediate🔥Very CommonSeverity
2 meanings2 questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
Sharp, severe, intense, or of short duration.
/əˈkjuːt/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
Severity
Having or showing a sharp, severe, or intense effect.
The patient experienced acute pain.
💡 Simply: Very strong or serious, happening suddenly.
More Examples
2
The situation called for an acute response.
How It's Used
Medical
"He suffered an acute attack of appendicitis."
General
"She felt an acute sense of loneliness."
2
Having a sharp point or edge; less than 90 degrees (angle).
/əˈkjuːt/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
Geometry
Having a sharp point or edge.
The knife had an acute blade.
💡 Simply: Having a sharp point.
More Examples
2
The triangle contained an acute angle.
How It's Used
Geometry
"An acute angle is less than 90 degrees."
Tip:Think of a sharp, pointed triangle.
From Latin *acutus, meaning "sharp," from *acuere "to sharpen."
The word has maintained its core meanings of sharpness and intensity since its Latin origins.
Memory tip
Think of a sharp, pointed object – that's acute.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"sharp, pointed"
acute painacute angleacute awareness
Common misspellings
accuteaecute
Practice
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written